Appeal Process for Non-Selection

Appeal Process for Non-Selection

Every year, the Peotone High School chapter undertakes a process to select new members. Membership is a privilege bestowed upon students by the faculty of the school, and not considered a right inherent to any student. Technically, students do not apply for membership in the National Honor Society. Instead, they wait to be invited to provide further information to be used by The Faculty Council to support their candidacy for membership. Membership is granted to those students selected by the Faculty Council under the terms established at the local level and based on the provisions of the national constitution (NHS Handbook). 

Each chapter has the authority to establish local requirements above minimum requirements established by the national NHS organization. Inevitably, some candidates are not selected. Parents, in an effort to understand this selection, often contact the national office. While the national office is willing and able to confer with parents regarding the disappointing news of non-selection, they are limited as to how they can respond. The national office does not hear appeals of non-selection or disciplinary dismissals.

The procedures outlined below must be followed in sequential order in order for a student’s appeal to be considered by the Faculty Council and/or the school administrator.

1. Consult first with the chapter adviser(s). 

• The student will need to email an appeal to the chapter adviser(s) within ten school days of notification of non-selection as dated on the denial letter. 

  • This email should request a meeting either before or immediately after school. 

    • A parent may attend this meeting with the student, however, as leadership is a pillar of the National Honor Society, the student is expected to be their own advocate.

  • At this meeting, the advisors will review with the student the Faculty Council’s reasoning for the decision. (The National Honor Society advisor does not have the authority to overturn the Faculty Council’s decision.)

• Once the appealing student has met with the advisor, the advisor will submit a report to the principal. 

• After this meeting, both the parents and students should refrain from contacting any teacher (Including The National Honor Society advisor) at Peotone High School in matters related to the National Honor Society. 

  • Any violation of this will result in the appeal facing administrative rejection.

2. A student may make a formal appeal by writing an email to the principal.

No appeals will be heard by the principal without taking the prior steps to the official notification of non-selection.

• A formal appeal must be filed to the principal within one week of the initial consultation with the chapter advisor(s).

  •  Appeals submitted after that time will not be heard, and records pertaining to this round of selection will be destroyed.

• The request for an appeal must state the reason for the appeal. 

  • The reason for the appeal must be something that was discussed with the chapter adviser(s) in the initial appeal hearing.

• No evidence omitted from the Informal Resume the student originally submitted will be accepted at this time.

• The principal will notify the chapter adviser that an appeal has been filed.

• The principal will schedule a meeting for the appeal,

  • A parent may attend this meeting with the student, however, as leadership is a pillar of the National Honor Society, the student is expected to be their own advocate.

• After hearing the case, the principal at their discretion will either reject the appeal, or request the Faculty Council reconsider the case.

 Updated July 2025